Chivu and Stankovic: a bond that goes beyond football

The Inter Milan coach and Aleksandar Stankovic share a story rooted in family, trust and long-term vision

Whenever Aleksandar Stankovic is mentioned, a natural smile appears on Cristian Chivu’s face. 

The connection between the Inter Milan coach and the 2005-born midfielder goes far beyond the classic coach-player relationship. It is a bond built over many years, long before professional football entered the picture.

Aleksandar is the son of one of Chivu’s closest friends and former teammates. Chivu first coached him when he was just 14 years old, later reuniting with him in Inter Milan’s Primavera squad. 

There, Chivu placed significant responsibility on his shoulders, handing him the captain’s armband and making him a cornerstone of the team.

Different paths, same destination?

Their journeys eventually diverged. Chivu moved to Parma before returning to Inter Milan, this time as head coach of the First Team. 

Stankovic, meanwhile, chose to step outside his comfort zone, first heading to Switzerland with Lucerne, then to Belgium with Club Brugge, beginning his own path in senior football.

And yet, the possibility remains that their paths could soon cross again in Milan.

Chivu, after all, always believed in him.
“Ale has a great future, but he needs time,” Chivu once said. “I’ve known him since he was a child, and it was clear from the start that he had a huge desire to play football. Did I teach him free-kick tricks? No, thankfully not. We used to challenge each other in training, but Ale always won. 

Today he strikes the ball with incredible ease and technique. I used to joke that he scored four out of five free kicks in training but never tried them in matches. 

Now he must grow and carry the Stankovic name on his own. My wish is that one day people will say Dejan is Aleksandar’s father, not Aleksandar is Dejan’s son.”

Chivu’s words and Inter Milan’s interest

It was therefore no surprise that Chivu spoke warmly about him again during a press conference.
“I’m extremely happy for him. I’ve known him since he was very young. Together with his father and brother, I’m his first supporter. 

I passed on football values to him. He had the courage to cut the umbilical cord and go and test himself in Switzerland, then at Brugge, who really wanted him. He’s an intelligent boy who understands his path and his ambition.”

Chivu added:
“We’re watching him with great interest. I don’t think there’s anyone more Inter Milan than him. 

His performances allow our scouting department to follow him closely. He’s a product of our academy, he has the Nerazzurri colors in his blood, and I love seeing him perform at this level.”

A reunion in Milan on the horizon?

With such deep roots, shared history and growing maturity, the idea of Chivu and Stankovic reuniting at Inter Milan no longer feels like pure fantasy. Sometimes football stories have a way of circling back to where they began.

Source: Fcinter1908